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Dance All Night

Sapphire Ballroom News - September 2021

What month is it?Hey dancing folks - This newsletter is going to be a little sparse. It’s been a crazy month/summer and I am behind in my work. But we have some awesome stuff happening next week that you need to know about, so I don’t want to wait to share the details until I have a fuller, more developed newsletter for you. So, you’re getting an abbreviated version that still contains lots of lots of info for your dance development and enjoyment.

Next month, I hope to be able to give you the kind of newsletter you are used to. I’ve got a nice article in the works where I’ve been talking to students about how they got back into dancing after taking a break and going back to basics. If you have a story about getting back into the “swing” of partner dancing, let me know! I’d love to include you.

In this issue...

- Highlights and Headlines

- Fall Date Night Dance Class Sampler

- I could have danced all night, but what are the steps?

- The Missing Playlist

- Upcoming Dance Classes and Events 

Lyric Quote of the Month

I could have danced all night
And still have begged for more
I could have spread my wings and done a thousand things
I've never done before
I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced all night

I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady 

 

Highlights and Headlines

SummerSale

Masks are encouraged in-studio

The CDC recommends that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors, and our hospitals are getting overwhelmed. We believe that dancing can be done safely by keeping class sizes small, minimizing close contact outside your house, and getting as many people as possible to wear masks. So, we’re asking you to mask up while in the studio. We will not make a fuss if you choose not to, but will thank you if you do. Please keep in mind that if stronger guidance comes out from CDC or the state, we will follow it. We appreciate your patience and support. I promise, we don’t like masks either.

Here’s more information from the Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/cloth-face-covers/

GRoup Classes

Blacksburg Date Night Dance Classes and Sampler coming next week

More details below, but go ahead and mark your calendars now:
Free DNDC Sampler - Wednesday, Sept 15 at 7:00pm
Level 1 Hustle - an incredible way to start dancing - Tuesdays, Sept 21 & 28
Level 1 Country Two-Step - Wednesdays, Sept 22 & 29

Details available at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php

Just Added - Intro to West Coast Swing Tuesdays Sept 14 & 28

This class was added last minute by student request! We love it when you ask for classes and always do our best to make them happen. This class only needs one more couple to be a success - it could be you! WCS is a great dance for funky pop. blues, motown, alternative, and all kinds of other music. It is one of the most popular styles at our studio and super fun. This class is perfect for you if you have done a little swing dancing before and want to see some of the more challenging possibilities. Details are on our website at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php

Lessons

Sapphire Line Dance Lessons at the Cattle Baron's Ball

We have the pleasure of joining the Roanoke Cattle Baron's Ball, hosted by the American Cancer Society on Oct 2 for a fun night of dancing, dinner, silent auction and more. Check out their webpage for details on how to join the fun - https://www.roanokecattlebaronsball.org/

Want some fun dancing lessons at your event? We do that! Give us a call or send an email to find out more: info@sapphiredance.com, 540-382-8782.

 

Lessons

Planning a Fall wedding? Now is the time to schedule your dance lessons!

We can take that dreaded first dance and make it a thing of pride and joy. All it takes is time and lessons. The more time and the more lessons, the more comfortable you will be when all those people are watching. But even 1 lesson can help take the stress out of what should really be a fun part of your wedding. Contact us today (info@sapphiredance.com, 540-382-8782) to schedule your lessons! They will be the highlight of your week. Details at SapphireDance.com/BridalLessons.php
 

 

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Fall Date Night Dance Class Sampler

Fall for danceWhile the word “Fall” might annoy the folks who hate to see Summer go, others will find joy in the promise of cooler temperatures. But really, whether you're excited about the season change or not - a FREE night of dancing is always a good thing!

Kick off your Fall dance adventure on Wednesday, Sept 15, with the ever-fun Date Night Dance Class Sampler, a FREE Q&A session / workshop intended to introduce you to Sapphire’s Date Night Dance Classes at the Blacksburg Community Center.

It’s a relaxed, no-commitment evening where you can

  • ask questions like is this Hustle class for me?
  • see dance styles like Salsa, Hustle, Rumba, West Coast Swing, Country Two-Step
  • learn what dances go to your favorite music
  • get a taste of what a class is like
  • learn a few smooth moves

The Sampler is also a great chance for regulars to join in the fun and welcome the new kids. Everyone should come, if only to take advantage of the $8 per class discount available to anyone who signs up for a class that night.

Come out Wednesday, September 15, at 7:00, and see what classes the Fall is bringing for you - put it on your calendar and invite your friends! http://www.sapphiredance.com/GroupLessons.php

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I could have danced all night, but what are the steps?

It’s a lovely dream right? My Fair Lady ... Audrey Hepburn ... Edwardian London...
“I only know when he began to dance with me, I could have danced, danced, danced all night...”

RumbaBut, to make the dream come true, you have to know the dances. You can’t dance all night if you don’t know what dance to do! No, I don’t believe the music will magically tell you what to do. Nobody is born knowing how to dance - that’s what classes are for. While we cannot predict what the band or DJ will play at your office party, wedding, reunion; we have worked with local DJs to get a feel for what the most useful dance styles would be at any of those events. The conclusion is Hustle for fast music and Rumba for slow music (with Single Time Swing and Nightclub 2-Step taking second places). Between those two dances, you will probably be able to dance to 90% of the music played at most events.

Hustle is a moderately fast Swing style with a simple basic and easy to learn spins. It’s the style we always end up teaching people on the fly when we are at events and trying to get people to dance. It can slow down without breaking, and go remarkably fast before your brain starts melting. It was originally done to Disco, but it has grown far beyond that.

RumbaRumba is a slow Latin style which will give you something more exciting to do than stand and sway to the slow love songs. I know that there are likely to be fewer slow songs than the fast clubby stuff, but that’s why you want to make those dances extra nice. And really, someone who has been dancing hustle all evening is going to want a little more than the high school shuffle for slow songs too.

So, how do you learn these two useful, fun, beginner-friendly dances? I’m glad you asked. They are both on our Fall schedule for the Date Night Dance Classes at the Blacksburg Community Center along with Country Two-Step and Polka. Hustle is on Tuesdays Sept 21 and 28, and Rumba is on Wednesdays Oct 20 & 27. Hustle, Rumba, Single Time Swing, and Nightclub 2-Step are also all on the Friday Beginner Workshop schedule.

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The Missing Playlist

Laptop LoveThis is one of the most time-consuming parts of the newsletter. It’s also the part that people comment on the most often. I have to skip it this month, but there still plenty of playlists on the Sapphire Ballroom YouTube Channel for you to browse. See all of our YouTube Playlists at https://www.youtube.com/user/SapphireBallroom/playlists.

In the Songs for Practice section, there are 26 playlists organized by what style they pair well with.
In the Mini Dance Parties section, you’ll find several playlists based on a theme that you can play and dance straight through.
In the Newsletter Playlists section, there are a bunch of the playlists featured in the monthly newsletters, including some that are still under construction.

Go check it out; that’s what they are for. These playlists are always changing. If you have a suggestion, I’d love to hear it! Send me a link at info@sapphiredance.com.

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Calendar icon
Upcoming Dance Classes: online and in-person

Events are hosted by Sapphire Ballroom & Dance Center: online, at our studio in Christiansburg, or at the Blacksburg Community Center. Please check locations before traveling!

Taking online classes is affordable and easy, once you try it. You do not need a partner; you do not need a fancy space. You do not have to share your picture or video. Online events require a Zoom link (included below), but not a Zoom account.

All Group Lessons have a maximum of 12 people in-studio. To prevent being turned away from a full class, please register by or before noon the day of the class by emailing us at info@SapphireDance.com or contacting the Blacksburg Community Center (for Blacksburg classes).

All group events and lessons cost $6-$15/person/hour. Visit our Square Store to pay online for classes and private lessons.

More information available on our webpage or Facebook page.


 

Friday Beginner Workshops

Completely beginner friendly!
 

Cha Cha and Hustle - They will Rock You
     Friday, September 10, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Hustle and Tango - Fast and fun gets paired with drama and flair
     Friday, September 17, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Tango and Rumba - Bring out the romance!
     Friday, September 24, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Rumba and Single Time Swing - Sweet romance and simple fun
     Friday, October 1, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Single Time Swing and Salsa - Fast and fun, with a side of spins
     Friday, October 8, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

 

In-Studio Group Classes

(Beginner friendly through beginner challenging)

 

Level 1 West Coast Swing
     Wednesday, September 14 & 28, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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     Details.
    

 

Blacksburg Group Classes

(Beginner friendly through beginner challenging)

 

Sampler - Date Night Dance Class Sampler
     Wednesday, September 15, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Level 1 Hustle - Dance All Night - New dates!
     Tuesdays, September 21 - September 28, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Level 1 Country Two-Step - A Walk In The Country - New dates!
     Wednesdays, September 22 - September 29, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Level 1 Polka - The Hero of Oktoberfest
     Tuesdays, October 19 - October 26, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Level 1 Rumba - Dance All Night
     Wednesdays, October 20 - October 27, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

 

Line Dance Workshops

(Great for beginner and established dancers)

 

Line Dance - Line Dancing With Lisa
     Tuesday, September 7, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Advanced Line Dance - Leveling up the Choreo
     Monday, September 13, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Line Dance - Line Dancing With Lisa
     Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Line Dance - Line Dancing With Lisa
     Tuesday, October 5, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Advanced Line Dance - Leveling up the Choreo
     Monday, October 11, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Line Dance - Line Dancing With Lisa
     Tuesday, October 19, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

What's Next Workshops  

What's Next Workshops

(Established dancers only)

 

Advanced Line Dance - Leveling up the Choreo
     Monday, September 13, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Tango - Promenades
     Monday, September 13, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Technique - Staff Development
     Monday, September 20, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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     Details.
    

Salsa - Solo Salsa
     Monday, September 27, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Salsa - Cross Body Lead Variations
     Monday, September 27, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Fox Trot - Musicality wins the day
     Monday, October 4, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Technique - Exercises to Improve Balance
     Monday, October 4, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Advanced Line Dance - Leveling up the Choreo
     Monday, October 11, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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     Details.
    

Hustle - Push Turns Part 1
     Monday, October 11, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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     Details.
    

 

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Thanks for reading; we hope you found something you liked.
Until we see you again, happy dancing!

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To subscribe to this newsletter, Sapphire Ballroom News, visit us at SapphireDance.com/ContactUs.php.

 

 

540-382-8782 - info@SapphireDance.com  
30 W. Main Street, Suite C, Christiansburg, Va.